NEW ZEALAND LEGION

Waipukurau Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 66, 11 March 1933, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND LEGION

Organisation Detailed BY DE. B. CAMPBELL BEGG — f NOT SECTIONAL IN CHARACTER (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, Last Night. Dr. R. Campbell Begg, interviewed, gave some details of the organisation known as the New Zealand Legion. Many meetings had been held throughout the Dominion, the doctor said, and in view of the enthusiastic manner in which the proposal had been received it had been decided to call together a national council, representative of the main districts, to mould and further the ideas contained in the movement and definitely to put. into being the New Zealand Legion. The main aim of the legion was to teach people their responsibility as units in ft democratic government. Hitherto they had been content, to exercise the government function which was their right merely by giving their vote on certain occasions. The legion deprecated hysterical criticism of those doing their best to exercise the functions of government within vhe imperfect machinery of Parliament, the imperfections of which were entirely due to the people themselves. The legion said, in effect: ‘ ‘ Hitherto, you have been content to reap the benefits of democracy and failed to take the responsibilities. Unless now you are prepared to realise these responsibilities democracy itself and the stability of government resting upon it/ is in danger. ’ ’ The league’s attitude was nonparty, and its purpose was to assist and stimulate what was best in our public life. Dr. Begg sai l that the league would not be definitely formed with full constitution, rides, 'etc., until the national council had decided them. A women's section of the league was being carefully considered, and the advice of pub-li-spiritcd women was being enrfsted as to the most effective organisation. Dr. Begg added that as the first suggestion of the movement was made only a month ago, the elaboration of its aims and organisation was yet in the rough. It could be stated, however. that any statement that any sectional interest was behind it W’as a deliberate falsehood.